Is phenytoin suspended?

For Phenytoin Oral Suspension, peak levels occur 1½ to 3 hours after administration. Steady-state therapeutic levels are achieved at least 7 to 10 days (5 to 7 half-lives) after initiation of therapy with recommended doses of 300 mg/day.

How is oral phenytoin converted to IV?

Conversion from oral to intravenous dosing If a patient is prescribed oral phenytoin but requires intravenous for a period of time e.g. while nil by mouth, the same total daily dose should be given but split into doses given six to eight hours apart.

How do you administer phenytoin IV?

For intravenous injection, give into a large vein at a rate not exceeding 1 mg/kg/minute (max. 50 mg/minute). Manufacturer advises for intravenous infusion, dilute to a concentration not exceeding 10 mg/mL with Sodium Chloride 0.9% and give into a large vein through an in-line filter (0.22–0.50 micron).

How do you adjust phenytoin?

A rough guide to making an adjustment to the daily dose that should increase a serum level without leading to supratherapeutic / toxic levels is: If the phenytoin concentration is < 7 mcg/mL, the dose may be increased by 100 mg/day. If the phenytoin concentration is 7-12 mcg/mL, the dose may be increased by 50 mg/day.

When do you give phenytoin?

Phenytoin typical doses are 3–5mg/kg/day. The first dose should be given 12–24 hours after the loading dose. Oral or nasogastric administration should be used, whenever possible. Only use intravenous administration when these options are not feasible and where cardiac monitoring is available.

Can phenytoin be given IV push?

Available drug information confirmed that a nurse may administer phenytoin by IV push in the critical care setting.

Can phenytoin be given once daily?

It is concluded that the total daily dose of phenytoin sodium may be given once daily without reduction of the anticonvulsant effect.

What is the side effect of phenytoin?

You can take it with or without food. The most common side effects of phenytoin are headaches and feeling dizzy. It takes around 4 weeks for phenytoin to work.

What drugs interact with phenytoin?

Drugs That Affect Phenytoin Concentrations

What’s the difference between phenytoin base and suspension?

Suspension is formulated as phenytoin base while capsules and injection are formulated as phenytoin sodium. Therefore dosage adjustment is required due to the difference in bioavailability. 100mg phenytoin sodium (capsules/injection) = 90 mg phenytoin base9,10 (suspension)

How many mg of phenytoin per 5 ml?

The free acid form of phenytoin in the suspension yields 125 mg of free phenytoin per 5 ml (100% phenytoin). A dose of three teaspoonfuls per day (375 mg) of suspension would approximate the amount administered as capsules (368 mg).

Can a phenytoin capsule be substituted for an oral capsule?

IV Substitution For Oral Phenytoin Therapy. Phenytoin capsules are approximately 90% bioavailable by the oral route. Phenytoin is 100% bioavailable by the IV route. For this reason, plasma phenytoin concentrations may increase modestly when IV phenytoin is substituted for oral phenytoin sodium therapy.

What happens if you change the dose of phenytoin?

It has a narrow therapeutic index and the relationship between dose and serum phenytoin concentration is non-linear. A small change in dose can result in a large increase in serum concentration and can result in acute toxicity.